Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;MICHELSON&#39;

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named ‘MICHELSON’ characterized by its small sized blooms with pink ray-florets and yellow-green disc florets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] ‘MICHELSON’ is a product of a breeding-program which had the objective of creating new chrysanthemum cultivars with a decorative type flower, a 7 week response and a medium plant height. The new plant of the present invention comprises a new and distinct culfivar of Chrysanthemum plant. ‘MICHELSON’ is a seedling from a cross in a breeding program maintained under the control of inventor. The female parent is #94.0754, the male parent is #92.1024, both unpatented, unnamed seedlings not available to inventor to describe. The new and distinct cultivar was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Rob Noodelijk in a controlled environment (greenhouse) in Rijsenhout Holland in April 1997. The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘MICHELSON’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in June 1997 in a controlled environment in Rijsenhout Holland.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is a new and distinct variety of chrysanthemum bearing small sized blooms with pink ray-florets and yellow-green center.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The present invention of a new and distinct variety of chrysanthemum is shown in the accompanying drawings, the color being as nearly true as possible with color photographs of this type.

[0004]FIG. 1 shows a plant of the cultivar in full bloom.

[0005]FIG. 2 shows the various stages of bloom of the new cultivar.

[0006]FIG. 3 shows the foliage of the new cultivar

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This new variety of chrysanthemum is of the botanical classification chrysanthemum morifolium. The observations and measurements were gathered from plants grown in a greenhouse in Rijsenhout Holland in a photo-periodic controlled crop under conditions generally used in commercial practice. The greenhouse temperatures during this crop were at day-time between 18° C. and 25° C. and at night 20° C. The photo-periodic response time in this crop was 54 days after an average of eight long days. After this long day period to flowering growth retardants were applied 6 times in an average dose of 1.5 gram/liter water. The plants were observed (directly) during the flowering of this crop. No tests were done on disease or insect resistance or susceptibility. No tests were done on cold or drought tolerance. This new variety produces small sized blooms with pink ray-florets and yellow-green disc-florets blooming on the plant for 5 weeks. This new variety of chrysan- themum has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics throughout successive propagations however the phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as light intensity and temperature. To show the phenotype as described ‘MICHELSON’ can be planted without assimilation lightning (high pressure sodium lamps) between week 50 and week 40 of the next year under greenhouse conditions in Holland. With assimilation lightning (minimum level 2500 lux) it can be planted year round under greenhouse conditions in Holland.

[0008] From the cultivars known to inventor the most similar existing cultivar in comparison to ‘MICHELSON’ is ‘DARK CHARM’(U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7585). When ‘DARK CHARM’ and ‘MICHELSON’ are being compared the following differences are noticed: The difference of ‘DARK CHARM’ and ‘MICHELSON’ are: (1) Flowerform. The flower of ‘MICHELSON’ has a small anemone type center with a clear yellow-green color. ‘DARK CHARM’ is a pure decorative flower. (2) Growth rate. The growth of ‘DARK CHARM’ is more vigorous. The following is a description of the plant and characteristics that distinguish ‘MICHELSON’ as a new and distinct variety. The color designations are taken from the plant itself. Accordingly, any discrepancies between the color designations and the colors depicted in the photographs are due to photographic tolerances. The color chart used in this description is: The Royal Horticultural Society color chart, edition 1995. Botanical Description of CULTIVAR ‘MICHELSON’ Bud Size Large; cross-section 1.5 cm, height 1.3 cm Outside Color Red-purple 75 D Involucral bracts 2 rows, length 7 mm, width 3 mm Involucral bracts among disc-florets Not present Involucral bracts color Green 138 B Bloom Type Decorative Height Flat, 1.4-1.6 cm Size Small Fully Expanded 5.0-5.5 cm Number of blooms per branch Approx. 3 blooms per branch Performance on the plant 5 weeks Seeds Not produced Fragrance Typical chrysanthemum Color Center of the flower (disc-florets) Immature yellow-green 144 C Mature yellow-green 144 C in the center, the outer part yellow- green 154 C Color of upper surface of the ray- Red-purple 75 B florets Color of the lower surface of the Purple 76 D ray-florets Tonality from Distance A pot mum with pink flowers and a yellow-green center Color of the surface of the ray- Red-purple 73 D florets after aging of the plant Ray florets Texture Upper and under side smooth Number 60-65 Cross-section Concave Longitudinal axis of majority Straight to incurved Length of corolla tube Medium Ray-floret length 2.2-2.6 cm Ray-floret width 1.4 cm Ratio length/width Very low Shape of tip Round Disc florets Disc diameter 1.0-1.2 cm Distribution of disc florets Numerous, clearly visible at all stages of flowering Shape Petaloid Color Yellow-green 144 C Receptacle shape Domed raised Reproductive Organs Stamen (present in disc florets only) Thin, 3 mm in length Number of stamen 4 Stamen color Yellow-green 144 A Pollen A very little appears at a late stage of flowering Pollen color Yellow-orange 12 A Styles (present in both ray and disc Thin florets) Style color Yellow-green 144 C Style Length 4 mm Stigmas Yellow-green 144 C Stigma Width 1 mm Ovaries Enclosed in calyx Plant Form A pot mum meant for indoor use Growth habit Spreading Growth rate Moderate Height 23.0-26.0 cm Width 24.0 cm Stem Color Green 138 B Stem Strength Very strong Stem Brittleness Absent Stem Anthocyanin Coloration Absent Length of lateral branch From top to bottom 12.0-14.0 cm Lateral branch color Green 138 B Lateral branch, attachment Strong Branching (average number of Prolific with 5-6 lateral branches) breaks after pinching Peduncle length 4.0-4.5 cm Peduncle color Green 138 B Flowering Response(photo-periodic 54 Days controlled crop, not natural season Foliage Color mature Upper side green 137 A Under side green 137 D Color immature Upper side green 137 A Under side green 137 D Size Small; length 6.0 cm, width 5.5 cm Quantity (number per 6-7 lateral branch) Shape Oval and lobed Texture upper side Glabrous Texture under side Pubescent Venation arrangement Palmate Shape of the margin Serrated Shape of Base of Sinus Between Round Lateral Lobes Margin of Sinus Between Lateral Parallel Lobes Shape of Base Acute Apex Mucronate

[0009] Differences with the comparison varieties When grown under same conditions. Differences with the comparison varieties When grown under same conditions. ‘MICHELSON’ ‘DARK CHARM’ Flower-form Flower with small Pure decorative flower anemone type center, with only dark pink ray- yellow-green 144 C florets (red-purple 73 B) Growth rate moderate Rapid 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of chrysanthemum plant as described and illustrated. 